Weather was promising to be bright, sunny & warm ... maybe not the best for photography, but certainly the most enjoyable, so with bug spray at the ready (and you definitely needed it today), I headed off to the Long Point area with Backus Woods principally in mind. I was hoping for Hooded Warblers, which but although I think I heard them (and I'm not that good with bird song) I was unable to locate any. However the area wasn't too unproductive with the Indigo Bunting (on the right) and Eastern Towhee & Blue Winged Warbler showing up. I headed from there down to the Bird Studies HQ at Port Rowan and was delighted to capture the Black-billed Cuckoo (a 1st for me). Lots of Yellows, Tree Swallows and Song Sparrows around, but other than that not too exciting, although I did see an immature Bald Eagle drift past. From there I headed to the Old Cut to end up the morning, but other than a few Flycatchers and a couple of Orioles it was pretty bare (I spoke with a few of the banders and they also confirmed that the morning had been flat) ... and so this ends my entries for the month of May.
24th - 25th May 2014
Kildeer After reading a few favourable reports relating to one of my favorite spots, Steve & I made the 2 1/2 hour drive up to Calden Alvar on Saturday morning. Unfortunately it wasn't as good a day as I had hoped for, but we had a good time none-the-less. Sightings included House Wren, Kildeer, Bluebird, Barn Swallow, Warbling Vireo. On Sunday morning I had only about two or three hours available (had work to do), so I dropped in to Mountsberg Reservoir hoping to see some of the annual visitors I had on previous trips to the same location on the same approximate date, and was pleased to find all of the previous years migrants, including Warbling Vireo, Gray Catbird, American Redstart, Baltimore Oriole, Kingbird, Yellow Warbler as well as a new one from this location ... a Chestnut sided Warbler (see May 19th 2013 report). Also spotted Cedar Waxwings and a Belted Kingfisher, as well as the usuals.
18th - 19th May 2014
House Wren ... nest building Last weekend of the Pelee Birding Festival. Went early Sunday morning and stayed until Monday noon. Sunday was very active at the Tip in the morning, with Scarlet Tanagers (several), Baltimore & Orchard Orioles, and several Warbler species including Magnolia, Black & White, Tennessee, Yellow Rumped, Blackburnian, Nashville, American Redstart, Yellow, Canada, Common Yellowthroat, Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided. Other sightings were Grey Catbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, House Wren, Grey Catbird, RW Blackbird, Mourning Dove, Grackles, Hermit Thrush, White-crowned Sparrow, Eastern Kingbird, Tree & Barn Swallows, Blue Jay, Red-eyed Virio, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Swainson's Thrush ... and I've probably missed a few.
8th - 16th May 2014
Spent a week in Alaska and managed to capture a few new species which were added to my life list. Some of the highlights were this Fox Sparrow. I know we get them in Ontario, but this one has always eluded me. Others on the list include a Sooty Grouse and a Horned Puffin.
4th May 2014
White-crowned Sparrow First weekend of the Festival of Birds at Point Pelee. Lots of Birds, so as is normal for the Festival, it was a very productive day.
3rd May 2014
Pics to be added later
